"You do like to leave a mess".

[biggles50]

I childmind in home of children. Three lovely kids very well behaved. When the two older are at school and toddler asleep I do ironing, wash up breakfast things, prepare next meal. Leave sink clean, sweep kitchen.Not asked to do ironing but happy to do as I know it helps. So last week I was told off because toddler tore bit of pop up picture from reading book, I should be "promoting" respect for books. Yesterday, a "you do like to leave me with a mess biggles!" because rooms were messy upstairs. Just toys strewn around. I said that although I believe in tidying as you go along it's tricky with children. I'm rather perplexed. I really like the kids, we have a lot of fun and parents are mostly very nice. Do I let this go because husband let slip that she's depressed about working. Maybe she's exhausted when she gets home and can't face tidying up. Or do I just try and be really tidy? I don't want to upset her but then I'm paid below minium wage and I'm feeling a bit unappreciated.

You are absolutely acting illegally and so are they. Get yourself a new proper job - being depressed is no excuse to treat people like this. As an aside I'm not sure that being sad about being away from your children counts as being "depressed".

Thanks for all your comments so far. Feeling supported. Yes below minium wage and parents don't want me to declare my earnings even though I've asked them. They said they're not happy getting into sick pay etc.

Are you in the UK?

This is illegal, and you should seek advice from CAB. And find a new job where you are not being exploited. FFS.

Get to CAB asap.
This is illegal, they have to pay you minimum wage, tax and ni contributions and sick pay. They are screwing you out of pension entitlement in years to come.

You are not a slave, they have to employ someone in accordance with the law. No wonder they continue to employ you, its costing them peanuts and you are doing more than you should.

As a nanny (as its what you are in their house) you are responsible for things pertaining to the kids, not them, they are adults and can wash their own dishes and do their own ironing. Stick to kids things and tidy up the room, but dont do the rest. They are royaly taking the p.

You need a clear contract of wages, duties and responsibilities. You can have your say too, you dont have to agree to their terms if its unreasonable. Try looking on the nanny websites for more info as to what you should be doing and what you should be being paid.

Sit down and apart from putting the damm toys, kids stuff, away dont do another damm thing

The legalities apart, what your are doing would be described as a 'nanny/housekeeper' role and IME people who are prepared to take on such a role demand, rightly, a premium and certainly not 'below minimum wage'.

Don't be alarmed by everybody saying that you are breaking the law, you are, but your employers are breaking it 'more' and are in more trouble. They are taking the piss, really they are.

Are you in a position that you would be able to walk away from this job?
Do you live in?
Do you have family/friends support?

You're not a childminder. You're being mugged off.

“They said they're not happy getting into sick pay etc.” Really, they don't have a choice, it's the law, I know Mike Ashley got away with paying under the minimum wage but that's the wealthy for you.

These nice people are making money out of you – you provide cheap labour so both can go out to work and have a higher income. They've done a cost/benefit analysis and you miss out. You are owed a lot of back pay and I'm sure you would get it if you went to a tribunal.

Plus all that Willow said.

A personal comment: when working, I spent hours of my own time (quite willingly) fighting for decent wages for staff particularly part timers who were inevitably female. I hope I didn't wasted my time.

This is unacceptable. Your first priority is to look after YOURSELF legally - not them! Take legal advice but as a starting point you should be taking them to tribunal for back pay and reporting them. They have LEGAL duties as your employers and it is their responsibility to ensure they comply with those duties.

Look for another job where the parents respect you and treat you fairly. Then sue your current employers in tribunal for EVERYTHING owing to you. They will also probably be fined.

Good luck!

Bloody hell. We used to have a nanny. She got $15/hour ( we were in us), sick days, paid holidays and did nothing but look after one baby. She'd do a few dishes in the sink, heat food up for the baby and put her toys away.

You're being exploited and taken for a ride

parents don't want me to declare my earnings

So are you self employed? Very confused here.

To be fair you sound great, OP, and I am sure you could walk into a legal job where you were looked after better than this. I am very uncomfortable that they are asking you to do something illegal in not declaring your earnings. This is highly irregular.

Thanks everyone for answering, will be looking for a new role soon. Just wanted to check that I wasn't over reacting.

Please leave, as soon as you can - what they're doing (and getting you into) is illegal and will have serious repercussions if you get found out. You're being exploited big time and treated like a teenage cash in hand babysitter.

No I'm not in the UK, but everything should be declared here too. I've asked, they've declined. Yes I have my own family/home and support so can walk. DH thinks it's not on, I'm paid the equivalent of 42 quid for an 8.5 hour day. I accepted at the time because I didn't think it was such a long day. Anyway you've all been great, thanks.

Yes you're right dixie I was desperately making sure that they were keeping the place tidy today but the toddler wouldn't let me put her down for hardly a moment, very clingy. Idk my teenager earns more with her holiday job. Someone asked if I'm qualified, yes I am.